SUMMER! I mean, it is probably technically Spring -- but it feels
like summer. Harper and I like to stay active and be outdoors, so we
love this weather. Ehh -- we love this weather in the shade.
Harper
had a cold and a sinus infection a few weeks ago. I got sick and we
were pretty much stuck in the house for 14 days straight. 14 days. Who
wants to stay inside? It was no fun at all. Not only did we miss a dozen
play dates, we just didn't feel inspired stuck inside the house. So,
once everyone was feeling much better, we resumed our normal schedule.
Play dates. Trips to the park. Playing outside all the time. Story time
at the library. I am so thankful for my group of mommy friends. Not only
does Harper love playing with their children, we always have great
conversations and I always learn a lot. It is really important for kids
this age to be social. Harper doesn't have to cling to me (except when I
am cooking dinner -- during that time she NEEDS me) to feel safe. She
says "hi" or "hey" to people in stores and at the park. And if you have a
dog with you? Oh my -- Harper will love you and guilt you into stopping
whatever it is you are doing to play with her.
So, what's new?
Food:
Harper
loves fruit. That has never changed. She will still eat green beans and
carrots, if I season them. She likes lots of flavor. I don't blame her.
She will eat broccoli but only when I prepare it just like Ina Garten does.
She only eats one puree a day, which is one of those pouches that
has fruits and vegetables in it. She loves yogurt. She only drinks milk
or water. No juice. I tried a little juice a couple of times, but she
wasn't a big fan and I would rather her eat fruit than drink juice.
Development:
Oh,
this child. She has been walking for over two months so she is very
confident. She will walk up a single stair (like on our porch) and never
break stride, slow down or use her hands. It was terrifying for me at first
because I just knew she was going to fall. I was wrong. If she is going
up multiple stairs and can reach the handrail, she will hold on and walk
up the stairs. Going down the stairs? A different story.
She says
several words, although John and I might be the only ones who understand
a few of them. Dog. Jackson. Dada. Momma. Cat (she said at playgroup
yesterday...what?) Hi. Hey. Yes. She is also very aware of what we are
saying to her. If you tell her to do something (pick up the ball), she
will pick it up. Everyday I say "let's go feed the dogs" and she RUNS to
the backdoor, waits for me to open it, waits for me to hand her one of
the dog bowls and then she races to the pantry (where we keep the dog
food.) I open the container and she uses the scoop to put food in the
bowls. She doesn't get much food in there, so I clearly have to help
her, but she LOVES this. She giggles while they eat. She climbs
everything. The couch. The dogs. Chairs. Boxes. Ladders. Slides. She is
always on the move. She likes to use a fork to eat, but we obviously
have to help her put the food on the fork. Haha. I think our favorite
thing she does when she wants some of what you are eating is she points
and then opens her mouth really wide "ahhhh." She will also shake her
finger at me when I tell her no. I have no idea where she learned that.
:) She stacks blocks, puts toys away and likes to "read" books on her
own. She does really well playing by herself. She doesn't need us there
to entertain her. Basically, despite her "hangry" outbursts, days of
teething and her strong desire to eat whatever is on MY plate, I'd say
Harper is pretty awesome. We have our moments. It isn't easy, but I'd
say that we are doing just fine.
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| she likes to draw on the chalkboard -- for about 30 seconds |
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| post bath under counter playtime |
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| first time eating watermelon. success. |
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| heading to church |
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| the Schaefers came over for dinner |
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| a little sprinkler fun in the backyard |
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| water table? I'd rather play with rocks, mom. |
